CABINET OFFICE

Government Car and Despatch Agency

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will estimate the total cost in 2002 to the Government Car and Despatch Agency for which departmental reimbursement would have been sought in congestion charge payments if the present scheme in London had been in operation throughout 2002 and the pattern of car use unchanged.

Douglas Alexander: The responsibility for the provision of ministerial cars and drivers has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car Despatch Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive Mr. Nick Matheson to write to the hon. Member. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

DEFENCE

International Military Services

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) legal and (b) other costs incurred by International Military Services Ltd in the course of its arbitration with the Government of Iran were.

Geoff Hoon: International Military Services Ltd. is a private limited company, albeit one owned by the Secretary of State for Defence. The company is under the direct control and management of a board of directors who are responsible for the conduct of its affairs. Questions of costs incurred by the company in the course of its business are routinely for the company to address.

Continuous Attitude Surveys

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who is responsible for deciding which members of the armed forces will be asked to complete the Continuous Attitude Surveys; what methodology is used to select recipients; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: In the Royal Navy the sample groups for each survey are selected entirely at random by Service number. In the Army the selection criterion works on a rolling basis using the last two digits of Service numbers.
	The RAF uses a rank stratified, randomly drawn sample. This means that while the number of personnel at each rank to whom the form is issued is determined in advance, taking into account previous response rates, the individuals who actually receive the surveys are chosen at random, using the last three digits of their Service number.

Continuous Attitude Surveys

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to publish the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Surveys; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: We are currently reviewing the range of survey material to release and appropriate ways of putting it into the public domain.

Inoculations (Armed Forces)

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what inoculations were given to members of the British armed forces (a) prior to and (b) during the Gulf War for the purposes of health protection during the conflict.

Lewis Moonie: The immunisation programme for armed forces personnel in the Gulf conflict involved a number of vaccines. These can be can be divided into three categories: those which were part of the anti-biological warfare (BW) immunisation programme; routine Service health immunisations and travel and specific immunisations against the risks associated with individuals' particular employment. These are listed as follows.
	Anti-biological Warfare immunisations
	Anthrax
	Pertussis
	Plague
	Routine Service health immunisations
	Poliomyelitis
	Typhoid and Tetanus (TABT)
	Yellow fever
	Travel and Occupational immunisations
	Cholera
	Hepatitis A
	Hepatitis B
	Meningococcal meningitis
	The majority of personnel deployed during Operation Granby whose routine immunisations would have been in date would not have required occupational immunisation.
	Details of the anti-BW immunisation programme, including datasheets on the vaccines used, were published in the Ministry of Defence paper: "Background to the Use of Medical Countermeasures to Protect British Forces during the Gulf War (Operation Granby)" in October 1997. A further paper entitled "Implementation of the Immunisation Programme against Biological Warfare Agents for UK Forces during the Gulf Conflict 1990/1991" dated January 2000 provides details on how the anti-BW immunisation programme was implemented, including estimates of the numbers immunised and on the other immunisations given. Copies of both papers are available in the Library of the House and on the Ministry of Defence's website at: www.mod.uk/gulfwar/issues.

JAC Molesworth

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the silos at JAC Molesworth were last inspected under the terms of the INF Treaty 1987; what is stored in the silos; who has control of this; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: RAF Molesworth is an RAF base made available to the United States Visiting Forces under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement of 1951. The United Kingdom Government retain ownership of the base and control over its facilities.
	The last inspection of RAF Molesworth under the terms of the INF Treaty was undertaken between 19–21 May 1999. The silos no longer contain equipment which falls under the terms of the Treaty, and are currently used for general storage.

Missile Defence

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding drawn up with the US Government concerning the US Missile Defence System and the US use of RAF Fylingdales.

Geoff Hoon: Once such arrangements have been negotiated, we will consider whether it is possible to make the texts publicly available, subject to their classification and to discussions with the United States Government.

Missile Defence

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Deep Space Tracking Centre and the Near Space Facility at Feltwell are capable of being used in the US Missile Defense System.

Geoff Hoon: No.

Nuclear Weapons

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to withdraw British troops from military action where an ally uses nuclear weapons.

Geoff Hoon: The Government do not comment on hypothetical scenarios involving the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons.

QinetiQ

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to conclude the deal with the Carlyle Group for the partial sale of QinetiQ.

Lewis Moonie: As is normal in a major transaction of this type, there are a number of conditions that must be satisfied between signing and formal completion. These include:
	Laying before Parliament a Departmental Minute describing the contingent liabilities arising from the transaction.
	Receipt of EU Commission merger clearance.
	Legal formalities relating to property.
	Completion of Carlyle's financing arrangements.
	We anticipate that all these conditions should be satisfied within the next few weeks with formal completion taking place shortly after this.

Service Providers (MOD)

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the 20 largest external providers of services to the Ministry of Defence, together with their turnover with the Ministry of Defence, in the latest available full year.

Lewis Moonie: Due to the nature of Ministry of Defence contracting it is not possible to distinguish between suppliers of services and suppliers of equipment in all cases, however the list of organisations which were paid £5 million or more (banded by value) by the Ministry of Defence in financial year 2001–02 can be found in United Kingdom Defence Statistics 2002, Chapter 1, table 1.17, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

UN Relief Workers Association

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much is being contracted (a) this year and (b) next year to the UN Relief Workers Association as aid for the Palestinians; what measures are in place to ensure this money is not directed from humanitarian assistance to other purposes, with particular reference to the purchase of arms; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: My Department's contributions to UNRWA in recent years have been £25.6 million (2001) and £21.7 million (2002). This money is used to provide urgently needed health, education and emergency services for Palestinian refugees. This helps to relieve the growing humanitarian crisis resulting from the on-going conflict and closures. We expect our funding to continue at a similar level in 2003. UNRWA has sophisticated and robust financial, accounting and audit systems. There is no evidence of any kind that their funds are used for anything other than intended purposes.

Ebola

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department has taken in response to the recent suspected outbreak of ebola virus in (a) the Congo and (b) Gabon.

Clare Short: My Department has been monitoring the situation in the Congo very closely and is ready to provide assistance if this is deemed appropriate. We provided £150,000 through Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) during the last ebola outbreak in the Congo in February 2002. The current death toll from the latest outbreak is 75, but WHO believes the situation is now under control. The Government of Congo has made available $68,000 to deploy medical teams, and the national authorities are being supported by a team of 10 WHO epidemiologists, medical anthropologists and social mobilisation experts. The Congolese Red Cross are working on raising public health awareness and social mobilisation and an appeal was recently launched. WHO has established isolation wards which have helped to contain the disease: most of the people who became infected have now unfortunately died. My Department will continue to monitor the situation in close collaboration with WHO, the Red Cross and MSF.
	My Department has not received any reports that the recent ebola outbreak has spread to neighbouring Gabon. The Gabonese authorities have responded swiftly to this latest outbreak of the virus by closing the Gabon-Congo border in the north-east of the country and has sent a team of experts from the Health Ministry and the Medical Research International Centre in Franceville to the two areas, near the border with Congo, where there was an outbreak last year. Guidelines have been issued to locals asking them not to touch dead animals in the forest, or those with an unusual behaviour (primates are often carriers of the ebola virus), as well as reporting any suspected cases of ebola to the authorities.

Fair Trade Products

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her policy is on the purchase, for departmental use, of fair trade products

Clare Short: Within my Department, Fairtrade products have been available in the staff restaurant since March 1998 and provision of these products is required by the catering contract. All coffee and tea served at official meetings carries the Fairtrade mark.

Liberia/Cote d'Ivoire

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation on the borders of Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: We are in contact with international agencies and NGOs in the field that are closely monitoring the situation in the Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia border area. We have provided £1 million in humanitarian assistance for Cote d'Ivoire, which is partly focused on the worst affected west of the country and on the area bordering Liberia. We continue to work closely with others in the international community to help bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Liberia/Cote d'Ivoire

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial resources her Department has allocated for aid for Liberians in refugee camps on the Liberian-Cote d'Ivoire border.

Clare Short: We have provided £1 million in humanitarian assistance through international agencies and NGOs working in Cote d'Ivoire. Beneficiaries include Liberian refugees, particularly in the west of the country and near the Liberia-Cote d'Ivoire border.

Liberia/Cote d'Ivoire

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial resources have been (a) allocated and (b) transferred for the provision of (i) shelter, (ii) food and (iii) water for Liberian refugees in the Cote d'Ivoire.

Clare Short: We have allocated £1 million in humanitarian assistance through international agencies and NGOs working in Cote d'Ivoire. This includes the provision of emergency health services, water services and food supplies to civilians, internally displaced people and refugees, including Liberian refugees, in both government and rebel controlled areas. £0.8 million has so far been transferred.

Sudan

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports she has received regarding the civil war in Sudan, with specific reference to the bombing campaign of the Sudanese Government in Southern Sudan; and if she will place a copy of these reports in the Library.

Clare Short: We have received a copy of the US-led Civilian Protection Monitoring Team's report into the incident at Mundri (Lui), south Sudan. A copy of the report will be placed in the Library.

World Health Organisation (Vaccinations)

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the estimated number of vaccinations required by the World Health Organisation is; and how many vaccines have so far been (a) delivered and (b) administered in each month since January 2001.

Clare Short: National Governments rather than the World Health Organisation (WHO) or other international institutions, have responsibility for immunisation programmes in their countries. The WHO's role is in encouraging effective immunisation practise and monitoring national performance. They estimate that by 2001 some 37 million children worldwide did not receive routine immunisation for the six major vaccine preventable diseases during the first year of life.
	In recognition of this, DFID are closely involved in the Global Alliance on Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), a major international initiative to enhance access to vaccines and immunisation in developing countries. GAVI is a cooperative effort between private and public sectors with a partnership of international organisations, including WHO and UNICEF, national Governments, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions and the Gates Foundation.
	Statistics on vaccines delivered and administered are included in data collected by the World Health Organisation on an annual basis from member states but not in the form the hon. Lady has requested. Further information can be found at www.who.int/vaccines-documents/GlobalSummary/ and www.unicef-org/noteworthy/sowvi

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Defence of Provocation

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Solicitor-General what studies she has conducted into the use of the defence of provocation.

Harriet Harman: The Attorney-General and I have been actively looking at the current operation of the law on provocation as a partial defence to murder and have discussed the issues with the DPP. The DPP has sought the views of Chief Crown Prosecutors as to whether recent developments in the law, in particular the decision of the House of Lords in R v Smith (Morgan) has had an effect on the prosecution of cases on the ground.
	We have also had discussions with the DPP on the issue of the acceptance of pleas to manslaughter by reason of provocation and the DPP intends to issue guidance to prosecutors which emphasises that only in exceptional circumstances should the issue whether or not an offender was provoked not be put before the jury.
	As Law Officers we have also considered the defence of provocation in the exercise of our power to refer a sentence to the Court of Appeal by virtue of section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 on the grounds that the sentence was unduly lenient. In 2002 the Law Officers referred two cases of the manslaughter of women by their partners by reason of provocation arising out of jealousy and unfaithfulness to the Court of Appeal, arguing that the current sentencing tariff does not adequately reflect the seriousness of the offences and is out of line with levels of sentencing in other cases of homicide and serious violence. The Court of Appeal indicated that it would be inappropriate to lay down guidelines in this difficult area without the Sentencing Advisory Panel having first been involved. It is too soon to say what the outcome in this area of the law will be. In addition, the Government has given a commitment to publish a consultation paper on domestic violence in the spring.

Departmental Vehicle Fleets

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Solicitor-General what the annual rate is of the Department's and its agencies' vehicle fleets broken down, by (a) volume and percentage for each category of vehicle, (b) type of power unit and (c) type of fuel; in each of the last three years and what progress has been made in replacing vehicles on a lower emissions basis..

Harriet Harman: holding answer 11 February 2003
	The Ministerial cars provided to the Attorney-General and to me are provided by the Government Car Service. My own department, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers, owns no vehicles.
	Of the other departments for which the Attorney-General is responsible, the Treasury Solicitor's Department, the Serious Fraud Office and the HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate own no vehicles.
	The Crown Prosecution Service has a fleet of fifteen vehicles but information in the format requested is not available.

Paul Skuse

Tony Baldry: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on the Attorney-General's decision not to refer the case of Paul Skuse to the Court of Appeal.

Harriet Harman: No convicted parents or carers of children killed while in their care were the subject of unduly lenient sentence applications in 2001 or 2002.
	In 2001 no cases involving assaults by parents or carers of children in their care were the subject of unduly lenient sentence applications.
	In 2002 the Court of Appeal considered the sentence imposed in one case where the offender, who was the victims' father, faced offences including cruelty to his two children. The Court of Appeal decided to make the sentences imposed in respect of the cruelty offences, run consecutive to the sentences he faced for other offences and increased the total sentence from eight years to 13 years.

Suicide Act

Patsy Calton: To ask the Solicitor-General, pursuant to her answer of 7 February 2003, Official Report, column 468W, on the Suicide Act 1961, if she will answer with reference to section 2(4) of the Act.

Harriet Harman: Section 2(1) of the Suicide Act 1961 creates the offence which allows the prosecution of an individual who is found to have assisted another to commit suicide. Section 2(4) provides that the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions must be obtained before such a prosecution is commenced.
	The decision whether to grant consent to a prosecution under section 2(1) is made in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, following an investigation conducted by the police. The Director does not intend to publish any prosecution policy specific to the Suicide Act.

TRANSPORT

Bottled Water

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cumulative litre miles undertaken to transport bottled water to point of sale for the last year for which figures are available, broken down by mode of transport.

David Jamieson: No such estimate has been made.

Parliamentary Questions

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many parliamentary questions have been answered by his Department since June 2001.

David Jamieson: Since my Department was formed on 29 May 2002, Ministers have answered 2,776 parliamentary questions.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Embryo Research

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many IVF embryos have been destroyed in Medical Research Council sponsored research in each of the past 20 years.

Patricia Hewitt: I understand that the information requested is not available. The latest available figures from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority are that, since its establishment in 1991, of 925,747 embryos created through in vitro fertilisation, 53,497 have been donated for research.

Benefit Payment Arrangements

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the financial impact on sub-post offices in Buckinghamshire of the change in payment of benefits from over-the-counter to direct bank transfer.

Stephen Timms: No such assessment has been made. The migration of benefit payment to ACT begins this year and the Post Office's strategy is to respond to that challenge with a range of banking and other services. How the migration of benefit payments affects the revenue of post offices will depend on a number of factors, not least how benefit recipients and other post office customers respond to change. The income from the various contracts Post Office Ltd. has with the spending Departments and various financial institutions, and the remuneration of sub-postmasters for banking services, is a commercial matter between the parties.

Capital Projects

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place the evaluations for the Capital Modernisation Fund projects relating to (a) MIT/Cambridge, (b) venture capital, (c) small business service (SBS) Gateway, (d) getting SMEs on-line, (e) internet access to the employment tribunals, (f) incubators, (g) novel recycling, (h) UK Oil Portal, (i) NACAB IT System, (j) renewable energy and (k) business.gov in the Library; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: All the projects listed are still under way and have therefore not yet been evaluated. The projects will be evaluated on completion in line with CMF rules.

Carbon Dioxide

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the technical ability of gas plants to practise CO2 capture and storage and her policy thereon.

Brian Wilson: The energy White Paper identified the need to produce a detailed implementation plan for carbon capture and storage in the UK within six months. All potential sources of carbon dioxide can be considered, including gas turbine exhaust.

Laptops

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many laptop computers were used by (a) Ministers and special advisers and (b) officials in her Department in each year since 1995; how many were (i) lost and (ii) stolen; what their cost was; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The table provides the information available from records on laptop computer usage and losses within my Department since 1995. Prior to 1998, the records available only provide figures for thefts and losses.
	Although the Department still retains a number of its own laptop computers (1,338 at 31 December 2002), since 1 April 1999 the provision of a laptop computing service has been the responsibility of my Department's PFI partners. It is expected that most new laptop computer requirements will be met through the PFI service for the life of the PFI contract.
	
		
			  (a) Laptops(1) (b) Laptops(2) Losses Thefts Cost £ 
		
		
			 2003 8 2,738 0 4 6,375 
			 2002 8 2,588 1 24 31,760 
			 2001 8 1,887 1 8 15,080 
			 2000 5 1,733 1 5 5,900 
			 1999 (3)— 1,325 0 5 5,110 
			 1998 (3)— 778 1 5 9,100 
			 1997 (3)— (3)— 1 7 12,300 
			 1996 (3)— (3)— 0 2 3,000 
			 1995 (3)— (3)— 0 15 26,300 
		
	
	(1) Used by Ministers and special advisers.
	(2) Used by officials.
	(3) Not available.

Recycling

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the recycling of food waste paper will attract the financial credits available under packaging regulations.

Brian Wilson: All waste paper is eligible for Packaging Recovery Notes once recycled.
	However, if it has come into direct contact with food, then it is not normally recycled back into the same material due to the excessive amounts of energy required to do this, and possible health risks of the contaminated material.
	Food contaminated paper can be 'organically recycled' ie composted, and attract PRNs. Last year less than 1,000 tonnes of packaging were recycled in this way.
	It is also possible to use energy recovery methods (incineration for power), for this type of waste and this method will also be eligible for PRNs.

Solar Power

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what level of subsidies for solar power equipment are available.

Brian Wilson: Under the 20 million First Phase of the Major Photovoltaics Demonstration Programme the current maximum levels of grants available are as follows:
	Small-scale individual applications (500Wp—5kWp)— 50 per cent.
	Medium and Large-scale applications (5kWp—100kWp)
	Public Bodies—65 per cent.
	Private Sector—40 per cent.
	Under the 10 million Clear Skies programme the current level of grants for solar water heating systems are as follows:
	Households—a fixed 500 per installation
	Community—50 per cent or 100,000, whichever is smaller
	Applicants to both programmes are required to use accredited installers and approved products. More information on www.solarpvgrants.co.uk and www.clear-skies.org

Warm Front Scheme

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Interministerial Group on Fuel Poverty has to discuss the future of the Warm Front scheme; and what plans she has to discuss the future funding of the Warm Front scheme with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Brian Wilson: The Ministerial Group on Fuel Poverty is expected to meet during the Spring. The date and agenda for that meeting have not yet been agreed. Warm Front is the responsibility of DEFRA, and my Department has no plans for bilateral meetings to discuss its future funding.

Oil Recovery Rates

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate she makes of (a) the potential CO2 diversion; and (b) the potential increase in oil recovery rates from the injection of CO2 into oil fields.

Brian Wilson: CO2 injection techniques have been successfully used in the United States to enhance oil recovery. If such processes can be found to be commercially viable on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) then the Government, which aims to maximise economic recovery of UK hydrocarbon resources, would be keen to see these adopted where possible. Studies are being carried out by the Department on the feasibility of CO2 capture and storage and its use for enhanced oil recovery on the UKCS and findings are due to be published this Spring.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Child Tax Credit

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Minister for Women what assessment she has made on the effectiveness of the Child Tax Credit in enabling mothers to return to work; and if she will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	From April, two new tax credits—the Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit—will enhance choice for mothers.
	The Child Tax Credit will provide financial support to families with children, irrespective of the parents' work status. By providing a secure stream of income direct to the main carer, usually the mother, it will assist mothers who choose to return to work.
	The Working Tax Credit will support people in low-paid work. In particular it will improve work incentives for second earners compared to WFTC, make it easier for couples to share work in a way that suits them best, and improve the flexibility of child care support. The child care element of the WTC will also be paid to the main carer,usually the mother.
	The child care element of WFTC has been a great success. It is estimated that around 85 per cent. of those families receiving WFTC and incurring eligible child care costs, claiming the child-care element of the tax credit.

Public Appointments

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Minister for Women what initiatives she has planned during the next year and what budget has been proposed to attract more women into public appointments; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: We have a target that between 45 per cent. and 55 per cent. of all appointments made will be women. Advertisements for vacancies arising during the year will be disseminated widely including in the national and regional press, in professional journals, trade press and women's magazines, and on the Department's website, to ensure the widest possible audience. We will also be using the practical guide 'Get a Public Life', recently produced by the Women and Equality Unit, to develop ways of encouraging more women to apply for public appointments.
	The Women's National Commission have committed £15,000 to continuing the e-network. This provided details of national appointments and a mentoring scheme aimed at encouraging more women to apply for national appointments.
	The Women and Equality Unit are due to publish research that will identify the barriers and possible solutions that can be fed into future government policy in the spring of this year. The cost of this research in the next financial year will be £7,000.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Flood Management

David Lidington: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to amend the levels of grant to local authorities to take account of the work on flood management and flood defence that will arise from his plans for new development in (a) Ashford, (b) the Thames Gateway, (c) the M11 corridor and (d) Milton Keynes and the South Midlands.

Margaret Beckett: I have been asked to reply.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister provides significant funding for the management of flood risk through its local authority Revenue Support Grant mechanism to support local authority levies to the Environment Agency and internal drainage boards and local authorities' own spend on flood and coastal defences. However, responsibility for estimating the requirement for central Government support in this area falls to Defra. Additionally, capital investment in new or improved flood defences by the flood and coastal defence operating authorities, including local authorities, would be eligible for Defra capital grant, subject to meeting the Department's criteria.
	No specific provision has been made over the Spending Review period (to 2005–06) for investment in flood defences to protect new development in the areas mentioned. I would also refer the hon. Member to my answer to his related parliamentary question 97637 with respect to investment in capital defence works, which explains that many of these developments, for example the Thames Gateway, will be defended to a high standard by existing defences which would anyway be subject to a renewal programme.

Housing Account Surpluses

Andrew Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the local authorities in housing account surplus, stating for each (a) the surplus and (b) the number of tenancies in the last year for which information is available.

Tony McNulty: I have placed in the Library a table listing the 209 local authorities with an assumed surplus on their Housing Revenue Account (HRA). These assumed surpluses are currently offset against any subsidy due to the authority in respect of rent rebates. The information is taken from the latest HRA subsidy claim forms for 2002–03.

Local Government

Francis Maude: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the costs of (a) audit and (b) inspection of local government in each year since 1997.

Nick Raynsford: The Audit Commission is responsible for the audit of local authorities. Inspection of local authority functions is undertaken both by the Commission and by other inspectorates.
	The costs of financial and other forms of audit (including the audit of best value performance plans from April 2000) by Commission financial year (currently 1 November to 31 October) at constant 2001–02 prices, are as follows.
	
		
			 Year Cost (£ million) 
		
		
			 1996–97 80.4 
			 1997–98 90.0 
			 1998–99 90.1 
			 1999–2000 109.0 
			 2000–01 116.2 
			 2001–02 133.3 
		
	
	The costs of inspection incurred by the Inspectorates that make up the Local Services Inspectorate Forum are as follows:
	
		Cost of inspection (£ million at 2001–02 prices)
		
			 Year(4) Audit Commission Benefit Fraud Inspectorate HM Inspectorate of Constabulary(5) HM Fire Services Inspectorate(6) Ofsted(7) Social Services Inspectorate(8) 
		
		
			 1997–98 0.8 3.9 0 n/a n/a 6.7 
			 1998–99 3.9 6.3 0 n/a n/a 6.6 
			 1999–2000 15.9 5.7 0 1.5 1.6 9.0 
			 2000–01 41.3 6.0 0.5 1.4 2.7 9.5 
			 2001–02 50.4 5.5 0.6 1.6 2.7 10.2 
		
	
	(4) April-March, except for the Audit Commission, whose financial year is currently November-October.
	(5) Costs for best value inspections of police authorities. There was no duty to inspect police authorities before April 2000.
	(6) Figures for 1997–99 could be given only at disproportionate cost. Figures for 1999–2002 are estimates. HMFSI carry out inspections, and other work, in addition to the inspection of local authorities, and historically the costs have not been recorded separately.
	(7) The Ofsted costs include the inspection of local education authorities (LEAs), but not schools, and do not include overhead costs. Figures for 1997–99 could be given only at disproportionate cost. The Audit Commission's costs of joint inspections of LEAs (approximately £l million a year from1999–2000) are included in the Audit Commission's inspection costs.
	(8) The Audit Commission's costs of joint Audit Commission / SSI reviews(approximately £2 million a year from 1999–2000) are included in the Audit Commission's inspection costs.
	Both audit and inspection costs include those arising from new responsibilities acquired under the Local Government Act 1999 and other legislation.

Press Releases

David Laws: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each (a) year and (b) quarter from 1995–96 to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. As at 26 February the Office has issued 192 press releases.
	Quarterly information is as follows:
	
		
			 Quarter Number of releases 
		
		
			 29 May to 30 June 2002 23 
			 1 July to 30 September 2002 67 
			 1 October to 31 December 2002 75 
			 1 January to 26 February 2003 27

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Countryside and Rights of Way Act

Keith Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to publish her Department's guidance to the Planning Inspectorate on the hearing of appeals against the inclusion of land on the maps of open country and registered common land under Part I of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

Alun Michael: I expect to receive draft guidance for consideration shortly and wish to publish final text as soon as possible. The Planning Inspectorate Executive Agency will then deal with the appeals against the showing of land as open country or registered common land on the provisional maps issued by the Countryside Agency as quickly as possible. The Inspectorate has already published information to assist for appellants and third parties and these are available on its website.

Departmental Budget

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the budget from that allocated to her Department under the Department expenditure limit set in the comprehensive spending review of 2002 is for each year from 2001–02 to 2005–06 for (a) environmental protection; (b) water services; (c) support for the agriculture, food and fishing industries; (d) flood defence; (e) support for hill farming; (f) regional/rural development; (g) support for countryside and wildlife; (h) nature and forestry and (i) animal health and disease control, including payments for BSE, FMD, TB and other zoonoses, broken down by (i) resource and (ii) capital.

Alun Michael: The years 2001–02 and 2002–03 do not form part of the spending review 2002, so the requested information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Details of allocated budgets for 2003–04 to 2005–06 will be published in the spring 2003 departmental report. The information will include how budgets are allocated to deliver the Department's functions and objectives.

Farmers (Chorley)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will visit Chorley to meet local farmers and the local NFU.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 24 February 2003
	My ministerial colleagues and I are always pleased to receive invitations to meet those affected by the work and policies of this Department. As many of these meetings as parliamentary and departmental commitments allow are accepted.

Flood Management

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what provision has been made in the expenditure plans of (a) the Environment Agency and (b) her Department to cover the costs of flood management and defence arising out of the Government's plans for new development in (i) Ashford, (ii) the Thames Gateway, (iii) the M11 corridor and (iii) Milton Keynes and the south Midlands.

Margaret Beckett: The Department provides grant aid to the flood and coastal defence authorities—the Environment Agency (EA), local authorities and (in areas with special drainage needs) internal drainage boards to assist with their capital works to manage flood risk. However grant aid is not provided for defences to protect proposed new development, although it is possible for such development to benefit incidentally by defence schemes designed to protect existing assets. In such cases, authorities are expected to seek a commensurate contribution from the developer to the extent that he benefits from the public investment. No specific provision for new development has been made therefore, either by the EA or Defra. It should be noted that many of these developments, for example the Thames Gateway, will be defended to a high standard by existing defences which would anyway be subject to a renewal programme.

Hospitality

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what hospitality has been offered at public expense in the last 12 months by each Minister in her Department to outside interest groups, broken down by (a) restaurants, (b) recipient and (c) cost in each case;
	(2)  what criteria Ministers in her Department use when determining whether to offer hospitality in restaurants to interest groups at public expense; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  how often Ministers in her Department have received hospitality in restaurants from outside groups in the last 12 months.

Margaret Beckett: All offers of hospitality are made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government accounting. The giving and receiving of hospitality is conducted fully in accordance with the guidance set out in the ministerial code, and guidance on contacts with outside interest groups including lobbyists. The detailed information requested is not held centrally, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Online Sales/Purchases

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) products, (b) goods and (c) services were (i) bought and (ii) sold online by her Department in each of the last five years.

Alun Michael: Information held centrally shows that Defra has no products, articles or substances that are manufactured, refined or adapted for sale. In 2002, the core Department began acquiring office stationery, IT consumables and paper online. The portfolio of goods and services available for purchase online is being expanded as part of the Department's e-procurement development and implementation programme.
	In 2002, 1,217 e-IACS applications were received out of a total of 69,303 IACS applications. The 2003 e-IACS system goes live on 15 March so there are no figures for 2003 currently.
	The number of new animals registered electronically in January 2003 was 60,710 or 31 per cent. of total new animal registrations. The number of animal movements notified electronically in January 2003 was 433,180 or 46 per cent. of total animal movement notifications. Overall, 42 per cent. of total livestock transactions are handled electronically.
	At 8 January 2003, the Emissions Trading Registry had 769 account holders and 3,250 open accounts. Between April 2002 and mid-February 2003 there were 1,451 trades covering 6,170,474 allowances. The Research Policy and International Division of Defra use the Defra internet website to advertise research and development requirements.
	The core-department makes electronic BAGS payments to its suppliers. These account typically for 78 per cent. by payments volume and 97 per cent. by value.
	The Environment Agency has since the summer of 2002 conducted three electronic auctions for the provision of green electricity; office stationery; and photocopier paper. A further electronic auction for IT consumables is planned for March 2003. The Environment Agency also uses electronic ordering processes for IT hardware.

Sustainable Development Report

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs why copies of the Government's annual report on implementation of its policies on sustainable development were not available to hon. Members in the Vote Office on its publication day.

Alun Michael: "Achieving a better quality of life", the Government's third annual report on progress towards sustainable development in the UK, was launched on 24 February.
	Copies of annual reports are not placed in the Vote Office as a matter of course, but the report was made available in the Libraries on the day of publication. It is also available on the Government's sustainable development website (http://www.sustainabledevelopment.gov.uk) and through the Defra website, and free of charge from Defra Publications on 08459 556000. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the document.

Waste Management

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her Answer of 20 January, Official Report, column 559–60W, if she will publish figures available to date for the performance of local authorities against targets for waste recycling in 2002–03.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 26 February 2003
	Data concerning the performance of local authorities against targets for waste recycling are collected on an annual basis. Such data are too extensive to be published in Hansard, but is available to the public via sources such as Defra Online.
	Individual local authority recycling rates for 2000–01 are available on line and in Annex B of the Municipal Waste Management Strategy for 2000–01. Corresponding data for 2001–02 are currently being collected, interim national and regional totals will be published in April. Results for all individual local authorities will be published in the summer. Data for 2002–03 will be collected later this year.

Work Placements

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many university students her Department and associated agencies has supported or sponsored with a work placement in the last year; what her policy is on work placements; what plans she has to develop such schemes; and what her policy is on paying their university fees.

Alun Michael: Defra and our associated agencies have supported thirty-eight student work placements within the last year.
	The Department's policy is to encourage work placements and to advertise opportunities in the Cabinet Office 'Work Experience in the Civil Service' booklet which is circulated to universities.
	Within this policy students are paid whilst on a work placement within the Department; university fees are not paid.

EDUCATION

Children Fund (Leeds)

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding has been received by Leeds city council from the children fund since its inception; how funds were allocated, broken down by project; what posts have been funded and by how much; and in which organisations these posts arise.

John Denham: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Community Cohesion

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps are being taken within the education and youth services to ensure community cohesion; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: We understand the vital importance of education in developing community cohesion, and in recognition of this, the Department of Education and Skills worked closely with the Home Office, the Local Government Association and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to produce the recent Guidance on Community Cohesion. The Guidance will assist local authorities, along with other local agencies, in identifying the practical steps they can take to build community cohesion at local level. The Guidance sets out the vital role that education, the youth service and the Connexions service can play in building cohesive communities. Equality of opportunity is a basic principle of youth work and a foundation of community cohesion.
	The Government want local authorities to deliver substantial improvements to their Youth Services. On 18 December I launched a document entitled "Transforming Youth Work: Resourcing Excellent Youth Services". This document set out, for the first time, the Government's specification for an excellent Youth Service and highlighted the resources available for this task. It recognises that when young people become disaffected the consequences are often a drift into anti-social behaviour and crime. It emphasises the Government's determination to achieve social justice and economic success for all citizens.

Delivery Unit

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  when the Permanent Secretary in his Department last met members of the Delivery Unit;
	(2)  when Ministers from his Department last met (a) the Prime Minister and (b) his officials to discuss targets set by the Delivery Unit; and what plans there are for further meetings;
	(3)  which Ministers and officials from his Department have visited areas outside London accompanied by members of the Delivery Unit;
	(4)  what targets have been set for his Department by the Delivery Unit since June 2001; and what progress has been made in meeting such targets;
	(5)  how many officials in his Department have been assigned to do specific work (a) with and (b) for the Delivery Unit since June 2001;
	(6)  if he will list the reports he has made since June 2001 to the Delivery Unit;
	(7)  how many reports his Department has been commissioned to produce by the Delivery Unit in the next (a) 12 and (b) 24 months;
	(8)  when Ministers from his Department last met members of the Delivery Unit; and on how many occasions since its establishment Ministers have met members of the Unit;
	(9)  which announcements made by his Department since June 2001 were cleared in advance with the Delivery Unit.

Stephen Twigg: I am responsible for meeting the Department's Public Service Agreement targets (PSA) as set out in Cm 5571, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.
	The Delivery Unit was established to strengthen the capacity of Whitehall to deliver the Government's key objectives. It works with the Department to help us deliver our PSA targets, and we are in regular contact with members of the Unit.
	Information about internal meetings is not disclosed under Exemption 2 of the "Code of Practice on Access to Government Information".

Education Authorities (Insurance)

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on personal insurance cover for teachers in schools;
	(2)  how many education authorities in England and Wales have an insurance policy which covers claims for compensation from a teacher who has sustained a personal assault from a pupil or parent; and which authorities they are.

David Miliband: Insurance arrangements in schools are determined locally. Local education authorities may fund insurance for schools centrally, and in that case may determine the extent and type of cover, including the extent to which individual teachers will be insured. The Department does not collect details of authorities' insurance arrangements.
	We will shortly be publishing an insurance guide for schools. This will contain practical advice for schools about levels and types of insurance cover.

Federations of Schools

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether his proposals for federations of schools involve a combined admissions system; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: No, federations of schools will not have a combined admissions system. Federation will not affect parents' admission rights or choices. It will help schools work together and support each other and will be based on local demand not national imposition. The Education Act 2002 specifically excludes admissions from the cases in which federated schools may be treated as a single school. Even where federations involve schools having a single governing body, the schools will still be separate and parents will express preferences for the individual schools.

Printing Costs

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost was of printing departmental (a) Green and (b) White Papers in each year since 1997; and how many of each of those papers were printed.

Stephen Twigg: The costs of printing Green and White Papers are met by the publishers, The Stationery Office (TSO). Information relating to these costs, and the number of copies printed is not disclosed under Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. An exception to this was the recent White Paper "The Future of Higher Education". Due to extremely tight production schedules, it was agreed with TSO that the Department would manage the print process and meet printing costs, providing TSO with copies for their commercial outlets.
	The costs of printing 16,000 copies of "The Future of Higher Education" was £48,600.

Teacher Pensions

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to remove the lump sum payment from teachers' final pension package; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: In common with all public service pension schemes, the provisions of the Teachers' Pension Scheme are being reviewed in the light of the Pensions Green Paper, "Simplicity, security and choice: Working and Saving for Retirement". There are, however, no plans to remove the lump sum element of the retirement package available to teachers.

Vehicle Fleets

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made, by (a) volume and (b) percentage for each (i) category of vehicle, (ii) type of power unit and (iii) type of fuel, on an annual basis, over each of the past three years, in renewal of his Department's vehicle fleet on a lower emission basis.

Stephen Twigg: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 20 February 2003.

SCOTLAND

Accountancy Profession

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations she has received from organisations representing the accountancy profession in Scotland as to the use of the term Accountant.

Helen Liddell: I have received no recent representations as to the use of the term Accountant.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Horse and Greyhound Racing

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action her Department is taking to encourage the greyhound racing industry to make provisions for dogs when they retire.

Richard Caborn: While the lead responsibility for the welfare of greyhounds rests with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, we have made clear to the British Greyhound Racing Board our concern that the industry should take proper responsibility for the welfare of retired greyhounds, and support for the action which it has already taken to increase its financial contribution to the Retired Greyhound Trust.

Horse and Greyhound Racing

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to review the legislation governing (a) horseracing and (b) greyhound racing.

Richard Caborn: We plan to bring forward legislative proposals, when parliamentary time permits, which will enable the Tote to be sold to a racing trust, abolish the horserace betting levy and reform the regulation of betting on horse racing, greyhound racing and all other events.

Horse and Greyhound Racing

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many racehorses have died (a) while flat racing and (b) while jump racing in each of the last five years.

Richard Caborn: The Jockey Club maintain records of falls and injuries on British racecourses; but the Department does not collect this information.

Written Questions

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many named day written questions were tabled to the Department between 15 October 2002 and 24 February 2003; how many that received a holding answer were given a substantive answer (a) within three days, (b) within seven days, (c) within 14 days, (d) within 28 days and (e) over 28 days later; and what procedures the Department has in place to monitor performance on answering (i) parliamentary questions and (ii) ministerial letters.

Richard Caborn: 124 named day questions were tabled to the Department between 15 October 2002 and 24 February 2003. 72 of these questions were answered on the designated day for answer. 52 questions received holding replies and were answered to the following time scales: (a) 25 within two days 1 , (b) 22 within seven days, (c) four within 14 days, and one within 21 days, (d) nil within 28 days and (e) nil over 28 days.
	The Department produces regular statistics to monitor the performance on answering parliamentary questions and ministerial letters. These statistics are produced for review and discussion by the permanent secretary and the management board.
	In addition, the Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on performance of departments in replying to ministerial correspondence. The report for 2001 was published on 24 May 2002, Official Report, column 674W. The report for 2002 will be published in due course.
	1 Figures for those answered within three days are not readily available.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Child Support Agency

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to announce the time scale for the introduction of revised arrangements for assessment by the Child Support Agency.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer my hon. Friend to the oral statement made to this House by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on 27 January 2003, Official Report, column 567–68.

Citizens Advice Bureaux

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of the Department's claim packs refer claimants to Citizens Advice Bureaux.

Nick Brown: holding answer 10 February 2003
	79 per cent of the Department's claim packs refer claimants to Citizens Advice Bureaux.
	In addition to the information contained in the written answer to the hon. Member on 6 November 2002, Official Report, column 404W, the following claim forms also include a reference to Citizens Advice Bureaux:
	Incapacity Benefit: IB1Y, IB22Y
	Income Support: A2
	Jobseeker's Allowance: JSA1, JSA1S, JSA3, JSA4, JSA4A, JSA5
	Minimum Income Guarantee: MIG1, MIGR

Disability Living Allowance

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disability living allowance applications were refused at (a) initial application, (b) reconsideration and (c) aural tribunal in each year since 1997.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 4 February 2003
	The available information is set out in the tables below. We are currently unable to supply statistically reliable information on those rejected at appeal. Number of claims for Disability Living Allowance which were unsuccessful in Great Britain in each year since 1997.
	
		
			  Number of new claims received (a) Number of new claims rejected on first application (b) Number of new and existing claims rejected at reconsideration 
		
		
			 1996–97 517,590 276,125 2,450 
			 1997–98 461,360 255,710 2,465 
			 1998–99 398,275 208,195 2,605 
			 1999–2000 392,600 190,390 2,365 
			 2000–01 410,270 206,145 1,600 
			 2001–02 407,810 192,315 970 
		
	
	Notes:Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.
	Figures are for each financial year, April to March.
	There is no available breakdown of data for reconsiderations into new and renewal claims.
	Source:IAD Information Centre, data taken from 100 per cent MIS data.

HC2/HC3 Certificates

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) budget and (b) outturn for HC2 certificates and HC3 certificates were in (i) cash and (ii) real terms over the last 10 years; how many people have received HC2 certificates and HC3 certificates in each year since 1992; how many people in receipt of HC2 and HC3 certificates have also been in receipt of incapacity or invalidity benefit since 1992; and how many applications for help with health costs have been received in each of the last 10 years.

David Lammy: I have been asked to reply.
	The information available is shown in the tables.
	
		Table 1. NHS Low Income Scheme: estimated applications received and certificates issued in respect of England -- Thousand
		
			  1. Applications for help with health costs 2. Total HC2 certificates issued 3. HC2 certificates issued to recipients of incapacity or invalidity benefit 4. Total HC3 certificates issued 5. HC3 certificates issued to recipients of incapacity or invalidity benefit 
		
		
			 2001–02 721 407 89 250 47 
			 2000–01 811 487 101 255 51 
			 1999–2000 879 532 98 295 63 
			 1998–99 881 528 85 309 55 
			 1997–98 931 569 98 323 63 
			 1996–97 982 552 — 383 — 
			 1995–96 1,110 632 — 431 — 
			 1994–95 1,067 569 — 375 — 
			 1993–94 1,038 544 — 421 — 
			 1992–93 987 502 — 421 — 
		
	
	Notes:
	Columns 1, 2 and 4 —Data taken from actual claims in respect of GB and estimated for England.
	Columns 3 and 5—Data estimated from samples of claims, and refers to claims where either the claimant or their partner (or both) were benefit recipients. Information is not available for years before1997–98.
	Columns 2, 3, 4 and 5—Information is only available about the number of certificates issued. These can be used by the claimant and their partner (if they have one), so more than one person may be named on each certificate.
	Columns 1, 2 and 3 do not sum as claimants may be otherwise entitled, have capital in excess of the limit or not pursue the claim.
	
		Table 2. Estimated out-turn for HC2 certificates in England -- £ million
		
			  Cash Real terms 
		
		
			 2001–02 55.8 55.8 
			 2000–01 56.2 57.5 
			 1999–2000 55.5 58.1 
			 1998–99 51.6 55.3 
			 1997–98 51.4 56.6 
			 1996–97 48.5 55.1 
		
	
	Notes:
	The above figures are estimates of the total:
	1. Prescription charges remitted in respect of items supplied.
	2. Dental charges remitted in respect of courses of treatment.
	3. Sight test fees paid to ophthalmic opticians.
	4. Cost of optical vouchers redeemed.
	No estimates are possible for remission of charges for wigs and fabric supports or on costs of travel to hospital, as information is not collected centrally.
	It is not possible to estimate out-turn in respect of HC3 certificates, since the amounts remitted vary significantly depending on the amount which the holder of the certificate has been assessed as being able to contribute towards the cost.
	There are no separate budgets for income lost and costs incurred as a result of the availability of help under the National Health Service Low Income Scheme.

HC2/HC3 Certificates

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in receipt of RPI uprated benefits were awarded HC2 and HC3 certificates in each year since 1992; and what percentage of recipients they represent.

David Lammy: holding answer 13 February 2003
	I have been asked to reply.
	The available information is shown in the table.
	
		NHS Low Income Scheme: estimated number of certificates issued in respect of England to people receiving RPI uprated benefits
		
			  HC2 certificates issued to recipients of RPI uprated benefits (thousands) HC3 certificates issued to recipients of RPI uprated benefits (thousands) 
		
		
			 2001–02 300 149 
			 2000–01 302 128 
			 1999–2000 288 148 
			 1998–99 263 158 
			 1997–98 312 160 
		
	
	Notes
	1. Data estimated from samples of claims, and refers to claims where either the claimant or their partner (or both) were recipients of one or more RPI uprated benefits.
	2. Information is only available about the number of certificates issued. These can be used by the claimant and their partner (if they have one), so more than one person may be named on each certificate.
	3. Information is not available for years before 1997–98.

Maternity Pay

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to review the impact of part-year pay on the right to Statutory Maternity Pay; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Maternity benefits are being improved as part of the Government's drive to help pregnant women and parents financially and to achieve a better balance between their work and home lives.
	In order to qualify for statutory maternity pay a woman must have average weekly earnings that at least equal the lower earnings limit for National Insurance contributions. The lower earnings limit is currently £75 a week. An average is taken of the gross earnings actually paid to a woman in an eight week period running up to the 15th week before the week baby is due. The period used may vary slightly depending on the woman's own pay period.
	Maternity Allowance is available for those women who do not qualify for SMP. From this April we are changing the earnings calculation, so that women will be able to choose the 13 weeks that reflect her best earnings during the test period (the 66 weeks up to the week before the week her baby is expected). This change will, of course, be beneficial to those with part year earnings. It will mean that women's entitlement to Maternity Allowance is maximised so that more will qualify for the standard rate.

Pensions and Benefits

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what plans he has to co-operate with consumer groups to assess the effectiveness of the direct payment literature being sent to recipients of pensions and benefits; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans he has to assess the effectiveness of the direct payments literature being sent to recipients of pensions and benefits; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what plans he has to use surveys to assess the effectiveness of the direct payment literature being sent to recipients of pensions and benefits; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department is supplying customers with information about all of their account options, including those that can be accessed at Post Office branches, to help customers choose the account that best suits their needs and circumstances.
	Customer information material is routinely tested on representative samples of the Department's customers before it is issued and its effectiveness is continually assessed through ongoing monitoring and review. Customers are being regularly surveyed about the Department's information material throughout the duration of theconversion period.
	We have consulted with consumer and special interest groups (including Postwatch and the NFSP) on the development of our customer information material and they have been given several opportunities to comment on our proposals. We will continue to work closely with them throughout the conversion period and as the information campaign progresses.

Benefit Fraud

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many persons were (a) convicted and (b) acquitted of benefit fraud offences in each of the last three years, broken down by type of offence; how many of those convicted of each type of offence in each year were sentenced to (i) immediate custody and (ii) other dispoals broken down by type of disposal; what the (A) mean average and (B) longest individual custodial sentence imposed in each year was for each type of offence; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Information on benefit fraud by type of offence and the length of custodial sentences imposed following conviction are not recorded. The available information is in the table.
	Further analysis of investigation data has required revisions to previously published figures. The corrected data is shown in the table.
	
		Outcome of prosecutions following investigations by Departmental Investigators
		
			  Convictions   
			  Custodial sentences(9) Community sentences(10) Other sentences(11) Acquittals Total prosecutions 
		
		
			 1997–98 551 2,553 8,282 137 11,523 
			 1998–99 643 2,292 7,032 162 10,129 
			 1999–2000 636 2,215 6,274 143 9,268 
			 2000–01 653 2,704 8,313 181 11,851 
			 2001–02 646 3,067 7,470 172 11,355 
		
	
	Notes:
	(9) Imprisonment, Young Offenders Institute, custodial and fine
	(10) Community Service
	(11) Absolute discharge, conditional discharge, compensation only, admonishment, fine, community rehabilitation, suspended sentence, supervision order, Young Offenders Institute, attendance centre, unknown
	(12) The fraud database shows completed cases commenced in the relevant period. Due to the elapsed time between commencement of an investigation and completion of a prosecution there are cases that are inserted into previously completed data for earlier periods. All totals are therefore correct at the time when quoted but subject to adjustment at a later date.Source:Fraud Information By Sector system and data from Counter-Fraud Investigation Division Operations
	(13)

Term-time Workers

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to decide the employment status of term-time workers; whether he intends to ensure that term-time workers are eligible for Job Seekers' Allowance during unpaid holidays; and whether the actual annual salary of a term-time worker will be the basis for calculating his or her hourly rate for minimum wage purposes.

Nick Brown: Jobseeker's Allowance is paid to support people who are out of work and actively seeking employment. People who are in remunerative work, i.e. averaging 16 hours or more per week, are not entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance.
	For term-time workers the average number of hours they work is calculated over the whole academic year, including the school holidays. If this average is less than 16 hours a week then they may be entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance. This calculation would apply if an application was made during term-time or during the vacation period. We have no plans to change the rules on remunerative work.
	The National Minimum Wage has to be paid for every hour worked, averaged over the pay reference period, to most people who work in the UK. The calculation to determine if a person is receiving the National Minimum Wage depends on whether the worker is a time worker or a salaried-hours worker.
	If the term-time worker is paid a set amount at regular periods (i.e weekly or monthly) throughout the year regardless of whether they have actually worked during that period then they are a salaried worker. For salaried work, the contract between the employer and the worker must set out a basic number of hours for which the worker must be paid at least the minimum wage. If the salaried worker works any hours in excess of their contract, then the National Minimum Wage will also apply to those additional hours.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

EU Directives/Court Orders (Non-compliance)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the incidences under which the UK has received (a) letters of formal notice and (b) reasoned opinions for (i) failing to fulfil obligations under EU directives and (ii) failing to comply with court orders since 1992; and which remain outstanding.

Denis MacShane: At any given time, the European Commission will have a number of infractions proceedings against any Member State. They will be at different stages of the proceedings.
	As of 31 December 2001, the last date for which the Commission has comprehensive public figures, the Commission had 220 infractions cases under examination against the United Kingdom.
	Between 1997 and 2001, the Commission issued the UK with 368 letters of formal notice and 151 reasoned opinions. The UK was referred to the European Court of Justice 28 times between 1997 and 2001. In only one of the 220 cases under examination against the UK as of 31 December 2001 was the UK accused of having failed to comply with the judgment of the Court. Figures for the period prior to 1997 are not publicly readily available.
	We are working with the Commission to resolve all outstanding cases.

Departmental Properties

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest estimate is of the value of British Council property in (a) Madrid and (b) Barcelona, in terms of (i) market value and (ii) same use market value; what use is made of these properties; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: The British Council is currently reviewing a range of options for its estate in Spain and so regards the current market value of its Spanish properties as commercially sensitive. My noble Friend the Baroness Symons, the Minister responsible for the British Council, will therefore write on a personal basis to the hon. Member with the information he has requested.
	The properties in Madrid and Barcelona function as the offices of the British Council in those cities, including school and teaching operations.

Departmental Staff

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the number of full-time staff employed by the (a) FCO and (b) British Council, in each year from 1995–96 to 2005–06 (planned); and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The number of UK-based staff employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the British Council since 1995 is as follows.
	
		
			 Staff in post figurescorrect on 1 April FCO British Council 
		
		
			 1995 5,984 Not available 
			 1996 5,787 Not available 
			 1997 5,539 Not available 
			 1998 5,412 1019 
			 1999 5,485 1025 
			 2000 5,480 1018 
			 2001 5,490 1060 
			 2002 5,680 1049 
		
	
	The FCO's provisional estimate of positions for 2003 is 6,033. We are unable to provide planned staffing figures for 2004, 2005 and 2006 until the spending plans have been finalised. The British Council is unable to provide a projected figure at this time.

Estonia/Latvia

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on how many non-citizens there are in (a) Estonia and (b) Latvia; and what reports he has received on the age profiles of these groups.

Mike O'Brien: The Office of the Minister of Ethnic Affairs in Estonia says that there are 164,730 non-citizens in Estonia (January 2003). The age profile of the non-citizens in 2000 (the latest year for which this breakdown is available) was:
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 24 and under 32.9 
			 25 to 44 32.3 
			 45 to 64 25.2 
			 65 and over 9.6 
		
	
	According to the Latvian Naturalisation Board, there are 504,277 non-citizens in Latvia (January 2003). Their age profile is:
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 25 and under 20.3 
			 26 to 45 28.8 
			 46 to 65 32.7 
			 66 and over 18.2

Estonia/Latvia

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the non-citizens in Estonia and Latvia who hold special passports will be allowed to travel to the UK without visas for (a) recreation and (b) work following Estonia's accession to the EU.

Mike O'Brien: The UK requires non-citizens in Estonia and Latvia who hold special passports, in common with other stateless persons, to obtain a visa before travelling to the UK for any purpose. At present there are no plans to change this requirement after Estonia and Latvia join the EU. We are continuing to support the Estonian and Latvian Governments in their moves to encourage social integration and the take-up of citizenship.

Estonia/Latvia

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether non-citizens in Estonia and Latvia who hold special passports will enjoy parity of treatment with holders of Estonian and Latvian passports when seeking to travel to EU countries other than the UK, following accession; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Following accession, member states in the Schengen zone and non-Schengen member states may choose to exempt special passport holders from the visa requirement. The UK will continue to implement its own policy, subject to constant review, in line with applicable national legislation.

Gibraltar (Terrorist Attacks)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what precautions have been taken to protect against terrorist attacks against British citizens in Gibraltar.

Mike O'Brien: The Governor and his staff work closely with the Government of Gibraltar, the Ministry of Defence and other relevant bodies in the territory to ensure effective contingency planning for a range of eventualities, including terrorist attack. This includes direct contact with relevant authorities and departments in the UK.

Hospitality

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what criteria Ministers in his Department use when determining whether to offer hospitality in restaurants to interest groups at public expense; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what hospitality has been offered at public expense in the last 12 months by each Minister in his Department to outside interest groups, broken down by (a) restaurant, (b) recipient and (c) cost in each case;
	(3)  how often Ministers in his Department have received hospitality in restaurants from outside groups in the last 12 months.

Jack Straw: The giving and receiving of hospitality is conducted fully in accordance with the guidance set out in the Ministerial Code, and Guidance on Contacts with Outside Interest Groups including Lobbyists. The detailed information requested is not held centrally, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Ministerial Visits

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Minister for Europe next intends to visit (a) Brussels, (b) Strasbourg and (c) Luxembourg; and how many visits the Minister has made to those cities since his appointment.

Denis MacShane: holding answer of 10 February
	I went to Brussels on 24–25 February for a meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC); and am due to travel to Luxembourg on 14–15 April for a further GAERC meeting. I also hope to be able to visit the European Parliament in Strasbourg during the coming months.
	In my three and a half months in this job, I have already travelled twice to Brussels and once to Strasbourg to attend a session of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly.

Written Questions

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many named day written questions were tabled to the Department between 15 October 2002 and 24 February 2003; how many that received a holding answer were given a substantive answer (a) within three days, (b) within seven days, (c) within 14 days, (d) within 28 days and (e) over 28 days later; and what procedures the Department has in place to monitor performance on answering (i) Parliamentary Questions and (ii) ministerial letters.

Jack Straw: Between 15 October 2002 and 24 February 2003, 259 named day written questions were tabled to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, of these 59 received a holding answer. Of those that received a holding answer 43 received a substantive answer within three days, seven received an answer within seven days, five received an answer within 14 days and one received an answer within 28 days. Three questions are still awaiting a substantive answer.
	My Department records statistics on a daily basis to monitor performance in answering parliamentary questions. I attach great importance to replying to questions fully and promptly and regularly emphasise this to Ministers and officials.
	The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on performance of departments in replying to ministerial correspondence. The Report for 2001 was published on Friday 24 May 2002, column 674W. The Report for 2002 will be published in due course.

TREASURY

Child Care Tax Credit

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the consequences for women of the introduction of the child care tax credit.

Dawn Primarolo: It is clear that the child care tax credit is removing an important barrier to work by making child care more affordable. According to the Repeat Survey of Parent's Demand for Childcare, around a quarter of respondents said that the impact of the child care tax credit had an effect on the number of hours they worked; and of those, 80 per cent. said that they had increased their hours. Recent data suggests that among families in receipt of WFTC and using eligible child care, around 85 per cent. claim the child care tax credit. Among lone parents receiving WFTC the figure is higher still, with over 90 per cent. of lone parents who receive WFTC and use eligible child care claiming the child care tax credit. The majority of claims for child care tax credit come from lone parents, for whom child care costs can represent one of the biggest barriers to making work pay.

Capital Modernisation Fund

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place the evaluations for the Capital Modernisation Fund projects relating to (a) Inland Revenue E-business gateway, (b) Inland Revenue unified reference validation, (c) Customs and Excise port surveillance, (d) Customs and Excise anti-drug surveillance radar, (e) Customs and Excise scanners and (f) Office of National Statistics "PAT 18: Better Information" in the Library.

Paul Boateng: (a) The CMF funding for the Inland Revenue e-business gateway has been integrated into a number of projects, some of which are still in development and none of which have reached the stage when they would be considered for an evaluation review under the department's established criteria.
	(b) The Inland Revenue Unified Reference Validation Project is still in its early stages. It is expected that the project will be completed in the 2003–04 Financial Year.
	(c) The Customs and Excise Port Surveillance project is not due to be completed until 31 March 2004. No evaluation report is yet available.
	(d) The Customs and Excise anti-drug surveillance radar project was terminated in February 2002 because of difficulties in meeting the requirements of the user specification. No further expenditure is planned on this project.
	(e) The project to procure x-ray freight scanners for Customs and Excise has not yet been concluded, and a full evaluation report has therefore not been completed.
	(f) As the Office for National Statistics' Neighbourhood Statistics project has not yet been concluded, no evaluation report has been completed .

Child Tax Credit

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether payments of child tax credit in April 2003 will be based on earnings data from 2001–02; whether payments of child tax credit will be adjusted during 2003–04 when final earnings data for 2002–03 becomes available; whether amounts of child tax credit payable for 2003–04 will be adjusted after the end of 2003–04 when final earnings data for 2003–04 becomes available; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 13 February 2003
	Tax credit awards for 2003–04 are initially based on income for the tax year 2001–02, the last complete tax year for which people will have details of their income already available. Awards will be adjusted to reflect income for the tax year 2003–04 if that is lower or significantly higher than 2001–02 income (only rises of more than £2,500 are taken into account). Once their initial award is made, claimants can ask to have their tax credits payments based on their expected income for 2003–04.
	After the first year, tax credits will initially be based on income for the previous tax year and adjusted to reflect current tax year income if that is lower or significantly higher.

Iraq (Reconstruction Funding)

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what financial provision he has made to fund the reconstruction of Iraq in the aftermath of war.

Paul Boateng: The Government believe that the role of the United Nations and other multilateral institutions will be vital in addressing the reconstruction of Iraq in the aftermath of any war and are liaising closely with allies on this issue.

Landfill Tax

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to ensure that proposed increases in landfill tax do not disproportionately affect manufacturing industry.

John Healey: As we announced in the pre-Budget report (PBR), the Government will consult on a revenue-neutral proposal to increase the rate of landfill from 2005–2006 as a way of encouraging more environmentally friendly methods of dealing with waste. Since the PBR, discussions have been held with a wide range of businesses and other groups, including the Confederation of British Industry, on how the additional revenue raised from the landfill tax increases will be recycled. An announcement will be made in the Budget.

Manufacturing Investment

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce higher capital allowances to encourage manufacturing investment.

John Healey: The Government keep all taxes under review and any changes will be made as part of the normal budget process. Since 1997 the Government have introduced permanent 40 per cent. first year allowances for investments in plant and machinery by small and medium sized enterprises. In addition to this, all businesses can obtain 100 per cent. first year allowances for investments in designated energy-saving plant and machinery.

Meetings

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 31 January 2003, Official Report, column 419W, for what reason he is unable to list the attendees for each meeting since January 2000; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: It is not usual practice to release detailed attendance records for meetings of advisory non-departmental bodies such as the Public Services Productivity Panel. Exemption 8(a) of the "Code of Practice on Access to Government Information" applies.

National Insurance

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the increase in national insurance in April on (a) disposable incomes, (b) consumer spending as a percentage of GDP, (c) personal borrowing levels and (d) the saving ratio.

Dawn Primarolo: Government economic forecasts take account of the effects of the increase in national insurance contributions announced in Budget 2002.

Passenger Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the use of economic instruments to discourage passenger travel (a) by air and (b) by road.

John Healey: The Chancellor considers all relevant social, economic and environmental factors when deciding taxation policy. Alongside the 2002 pre-budget report the Government published "Tax and the environment: using economic instruments". This document outlined that Government intervention is aimed at tackling market failures.
	The Government does not have policies to discourage passenger travel but have introduced a host of policies to encourage more environmentally friendly behaviour by road users including duty incentives for road fuel gases and ultra low sulphur fuels, graduated vehicle excise duty (VED) for cars based on carbon emissions with incentives for the use of cleaner fuels and technologies, restructuring of vehicle excise duty for lorries so that the cleanest, least polluting lorries now pay some of the lowest VED rates in the EU and reforms to company car taxation to account for the levels of carbon emissions.
	The 2002 pre-Budget report announced that the Government will discuss with stakeholders the most effective economic instruments for ensuring that the industry is encouraged to take account of, and where appropriate reduce, its contribution to global warming, local air and noise pollution.

Retirement Age

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the net saving to the Exchequer if all public sector employees retired at age 65; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) on 23 January, column 431W.

Working Tax Credit

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 25 February, ref 94024, how many of the recipients of working tax credit will be childless.

Dawn Primarolo: As a result of the extension of in-work support, 250,000 low-income working households without children are expected to receive Working Tax Credit in 2003–04.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Child Protection

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will establish independent child death review teams to deal with child deaths from abuse and neglect;
	(2)  what plans the Government has to set up child safeguarding teams to ensure that professionals involved in the care and protection of children can work together more effectively on the ground.

Hilary Benn: The Victoria Climbié Inquiry report, published on 28 January 2003, contained 108 recommendations, including several recommendations relating to local and national structures for the provision of children's services and arrangements for child death reviews (referred to in Government guidance as serious case reviews).
	We are currently studying the report's 108 recommendations with care, and will make our substantive response to the report as part of the Green Paper on Children at Risk, which will be published later in the spring.

Conviction Rates

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances an offender is classed as having been brought to justice.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 27 February 2003
	For the purposes of the Public Service Agreement target to bring 1.2 million recorded offences to justice by 2005–06, an offence is classed as having been brought to justice where an offender has been cautioned, convicted, or has had the offence taken into consideration by the court. (Penalty Notices for Disorder also count towards the target, in the areas where these are being trialled).

Correspondence

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Citizenship and Immigration intends to reply to the letter dated 11 December 2002 from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding his constituent Mrs. S Mitchell of Farnborough.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 24 February 2003
	I wrote to the hon. Member on 27 February 2003.

Correspondence

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member will receive a reply to his letters of 2 December 2002 and 8 January, ref. 3LBR/A076411.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 25 February 2003
	I wrote to the hon. Member on 27 February 2003.

Correspondence Tracking System

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the computer-based correspondence tracking system being piloted in his Department.

Michael Wills: I am determined to build on the progress we are making on improving our handling of correspondence.
	The Correspondence Tracking System's (CTS) ministerial correspondence module is part way through a five week live pilot. CTS is built on a combination of scanning, workflow and document management technology. It will allow all incoming correspondence addressed to Ministers or to the Home Office to be scanned on arrival and transmitted around the department electronically. Its use will ensure that no piece of correspondence ever gets mislaid or delayed in the internal mail, and will enable progress to be monitored at all stages of the process.
	Subject to final evaluation of the pilot, the module will roll out across the non-Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) parts of the Home Office over four weeks from 17 March. The public correspondence module will roll out approximately six weeks later, and the e-mail module approximately four weeks after that. A scoping study is currently under way in IND to establish timescales for the roll out of CIS there.

Criminal Justice Bill

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact on the prison population of the proposed changes to (a) sentencing and (b) the double jeopardy rule contained in the Criminal Justice Bill.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 28 February 2003
	The sentencing provisions in the Criminal Justice Bill will make it possible to ensure that the most serious violent, sexual and persistent offenders spend longer in prison while allowing other offenders to be dealt with by means of tougher and more effective community sentences. Current projections indicate that the long-term net effect of implementation of these provisions will be a small increase of about 1,000 in the prison population.
	The proposal contained in the Bill in relation to retrial for serious offences would only permit a retrial in cases where new and compelling evidence subsequently came to light. Furthermore, to prevent the possible harassment of acquitted persons or where it is not in the public interest, the personal consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions will be required to the re-opening of investigation and an application to the Court of Appeal. Given these safeguards it is estimated that only a very small number of cases are likely to be retried each year and that the impact upon the prison population will be negligible.

Drug-related Crime

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of prison inmates in Britain have access to drugs rehabilitation programmes.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 12 February 2003
	The Prison Service does not keep records of the percentage of drug-misusing prisoners in England and Wales that have access to rehabilitation programmes. However, based on research conducted by the Office for National Statistics, the Service estimates that 18,000 prisoners each year would benefit potentially from participation in a rehabilitation programme. The length of treatment courses serves to restrict access to those sentenced to two years or more.
	The Service is committed annually to delivering 5,700 places on rehabilitation programmes or therapeutic communities by March 2004. The Service is, therefore, currently resourced only to meet approximately 30 per cent. of the potential rehabilitation needs of drug-misusing prisoners.
	As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister explained on 4 December 2002 in his response to the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff), Official Report, column 906, the Government are committed significantly to extending drug treatment programmes both within prison and in the community.

Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders have been given an extended sentence under section 85 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 27 February 2003
	43 cases of extended sentences were notified to the Home Office in 2001.
	Figures for 2002 will be published in the autumn.

What Works Unit

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the work programme is of his Department's What Works Unit, and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 27 February 2003
	Considerable progress has been made in ensuring that interventions with offenders are soundly based on the What Works evidence and are effective in reducing re-offending. A joint prison/probation assessment system (OASys) is being rolled out. We have introduced a range of accredited offending behaviour programmes covering both general offending and specialised areas such as drug abuse and sexual offences.
	Work is also progressing on the reintegration of offenders into society by addressing factors such as literacy, numeracy, employment and accommodation; and a system of Enhanced Community Punishment is being introduced this year. An intensive scheme collaborating with police surveillance is being developed in the community for young adult offenders between 18 and 20 years of age.
	The Youth Justice Board is also taking forward What Works initiative. It is producing a series of Effective Practice Guidance Notes, and is introducing a quality assurance process within Youth Offending Teams.
	Overall, our aim is to reduce re-offending by 5 per cent. by 2004.

HEALTH

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what guidelines there are for testing patients for Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency;
	(2)  how many patients are being treated for Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency in the UK;
	(3)  what the most common symptoms of Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency are amongst patients in the UK.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 25 February 2002
	Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited disorder with a prevalence of approximately one in 5,000 people. It is associated with liver disease among children and lung disease among adults between approximately 30–50. We do not hold data centrally on the number of patients being treated.
	While no specific guidelines have been issued by the Department of Health, the British Thoracic Society's 1997 Thorax guidelines advised general practitioners that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) sufferers under 40 should be referred for a specialist opinion to identify an alpha-antitrypsin deficiency and to consider therapy and family screening. Alpha-antitrypsin deficiency is the most common inherited liver disease in babies and children and it is accepted clinical practice to test for this condition.
	Both liver and lung disease may present with a wide variety of symptoms. The main signs are jaundice in respect of liver disease and shortness of breath and cough for lung disease.

Cancer Funding

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will direct to itemise cancer funding and where it has been spent in their annual reports.

Hazel Blears: We have asked strategic health authorities, as part of an exceptional exercise, to identify total additional investment in cancer services in 2001–02 and 2002–03, with a subtotal for cancer drugs and supporting information on new service developments.
	We intend to publish the results in late spring 2003.

Computer Fraud

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of computer (a) hacking, (b) fraud and (c) theft his Department recorded in 2001–02; and on how many occasions computer systems have been illegally accessed by computer hackers (i) within and (ii) outside his Department.

Hazel Blears: There have been no reported incidents of illegal hacking or computer fraud on the information technology systems, either within or outside the Department, in the financial year 2001–02.
	The Department had computer losses, including thefts, to the value of £70,500 in financial year 2001–02. The Department takes the protection of its IT systems and assets very seriously and its security policy and procedures are kept under constant review.

Correspondence

Brian Mawhinney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the right hon. Member for North West Cambridgeshire will receive a substantive reply to his letter of 21 November 2002 on behalf of his constituent Mrs.Loosemore.

John Hutton: A reply was sent to the right hon. Member today.

Drug Treatment

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many drug misusers under treatment have had GP involvement since 1 January 2002.

Hazel Blears: This information is not available centrally, in this form. Between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002, 16 per cent. of drug users presenting to drug treatment agencies in England were reported as having been referred by a general practitioner. Source: statistical press release "Provisional Statistics from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System in England, 2001/02"—http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/spndruqsQ212.htm. This document is available in the Library.

Drug Treatment

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what specific health treatment is recommended under a drug treatment and testing order for (a) heroin addiction, (b) crack cocaine addiction, (c) polydrug use and (d) dual diagnosis.

Hazel Blears: The specific health treatment under a treatment and testing order will vary according to the different clinical and social care needs of each individual drug user, based on clinical judgment. The 'Models of Care' document and the Department's 'Drug Misuse and Dependence—Guidelines on Clinical Management' (Clinical Guidelines) outlines the evidence-based best practice that is recommended for the care of all drug users.

Electronic Patient Records

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what targets are in place for the introduction of electronic patient records;
	(2)  how many trusts are meeting their targets for the introduction of electronic patient records.

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer given to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham on 13 January 2003, Official Report, column 488W, when he expects all NHS trusts in the south-east to have introduced electronic patient records.

David Lammy: The following targets are in place for implementing the Integrated Care Record Service (ICRS) in the Government's '21stCentury IT' Strategy for the national health service.
	Health Records Infrastructure initial connections by all trusts by March 2005.
	December 2005: All primary care trusts, and all NHS trusts actively implementing elements of electronic patient records (EPR).
	December 2007: Full national health record service, with core data and reference links to local EPR systems for full record access; EPR (compliant with new National standard, XML-based specification) systems implemented in all PCTs, and all Hospitals (to be confirmed during calendar year 2003).
	Unified Health Record (with all appropriate social care information) by December 2010 (to be confirmed during calendar year 2006).

Food Labelling

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to change food labelling regulations.

Hazel Blears: Labelling regulations are agreed at European Union level. The Food Standards Agency is pressing for a number of important changes in EU labelling rules. Its top priorities, which are based on consumer research and consultation, are to achieve more extensive, clearer country of origin labelling, clear nutrition labelling on all foods and tighter controls on use of health claims.

Food Labelling

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Food Standards Agency's recommendations for the compulsory labelling of the nutritional content of food; and which foods would be covered if such proposals were enacted.

Hazel Blears: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends that manufacturers provide full nutrition information on all pre-packaged foods to allow consumers to make fully informed choices about the nutritional value of the foods they buy. The FSA is pressing to make this recommendation a legal requirement through changes to the current European Union rules on nutrition labelling.
	Contrary to reports in the press the FSA has not recommended introducing legislation requiring the nutritional content of food and drink to be given on menus.

Heart Choice Scheme

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation he has made of the Heart Choice Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Evaluation of the heart choice scheme is being informed by the independent patient choice trustees at a national level through a survey of patient views and with information from patient care advisers in each cardiac centre.
	The early indications from the first six months of the scheme are that the initiative is popular with patients, with just under half of those eligible choosing to be treated elsewhere. Patients and their carers have particularly welcomed the continuity, advice and support of patient care advisers. These reforms, combined with substantial investment, are making a dramatic impact, improving patient experience and bringing a rapid reduction in waiting times for heart surgery.

Heart Disease

Alice Mahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been provided to primary care trusts on collaborative commissioning for specialist heart services.

Hazel Blears: Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for assessing the health needs of their local community and preparing plans for health improvement, reflecting the diversity of local needs.
	Arrangements for shared or collaborative commissioning of services, including specialist heart services, are being made locally between PCTs.

Heart Disease

Alice Mahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets have been set to increase the use of new medical devices used in percutaneous coronary interventions.

Hazel Blears: No targets have been set for the use of new medical devices in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The National Institute for Clinical Excellence published guidance in May 2000 on the use of plain stents in PCI and is currently evaluating the appropriate use of drug eluting stents. Guidance on this is expected to be published later this year.

Hospital Acquired Infection

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many care homes refused to admit NHS patients due to the contraction of (a) MRSA and (b) other hospital acquired infections, in the last year for which figures are available;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure that older people are not discharged from hospital into care homes with hospital acquired infections.

Hazel Blears: We are committed to tackling hospital acquired infections and have set standards to ensure that there is a managed environment that minimises the risk of infection to patients, staff and visitors. These standards are now supported by the inclusion of infection control procedures and a methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) improvement score in the national health service performance management system for 2002–03. In addition, a targeted action plan for healthcare associated infection is being developed as part of our strategy against infectious diseases, "Getting Ahead of the Curve".
	Hospital acquired infections range from the serious to the trivial. Although it is good practice 1 to assess residents for risk of infection on admission an infection is not necessarily a contraindication for admission. For example, if basic good hygiene precautions are followed, individuals with MRSA are not a risk to other residents, staff or visitors and should not be excluded.
	There are no centrally held statistics on care homes and the admission of patients with MRSA or other hospital acquired infections.
	1 "Guidelines on the Control of Infection in Residential and Nursing homes"—Public Health Medicine Environmental Group 1996.

Hospital Waste Disposal

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines are followed when contracting out disposal of human tissue to hospital waste disposal companies; what outside companies are used by the NHS for disposal of human tissue; what the terms of their contracts are; and for how long they have been doing work for the NHS.

Hazel Blears: It is for National Health Service trusts to determine their local hospital waste contract requirements and specifications, and fulfil all statutory and legal obligations. However, a significant amount of guidance on clinical waste management and disposal is available to the NHS. The Health and Safety Commission guidance, Safe disposal of clinical waste, states:
	"Identifiable human tissue is clinical waste unless it has been rendered safe and non-infectious. After treatment, identifiable human tissue remains an offensive waste. It therefore needs to be dealt with by an authorised waste handling facility. The only appropriate treatment for identifiable human tissue is incineration."
	Human tissue has to be disposed of by incineration. Not all waste disposal facilities are licensed or have the appropriate disposal technology to dispose of human tissue. Those companies who only operate alternative non-burn technology plant and facilities are required to sub-contract human tissue clinical waste to other facilities for incineration.
	Human tissue is not dealt with under a separate contract but clearly, where non-burn solutions are used for the bulk of the waste, it does require a separate logistical approach. In England, the main clinical waste disposal companies are:
	
		Waste Disposal Companies
		
			  
		
		
			 White Rose Environmental Incineration 
			 Eurocare Environmental Services Ltd Incineration and non-burn 
			 Polkacrest Non-burn (microwaves and autoclaves) 
			 BFH Incineration 
			 Grundons Incineration 
			 Viridor Incineration 
			 EDW Butler Incineration 
			 Peake Incineration 
			 Torgam Non burn (autoclave) 
		
	
	All contract terms will be individual and specific. NHS trusts are autonomous bodies and as such have local responsibility for all contracts dependent on their needs and specifications. Contracts will differ in terms of requirements and contract period. NHS Purchasing And Supply Agency are currently reviewing their total waste management contract terms and conditions.
	Since the introduction of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the loss of Crown Immunity in 1991, the NHS has moved away from disposing of its own waste to contracting out that service to the private sector. The consequence of legislative changes relating to clinical waste disposal resulted in NHS owned and operated incinerators being shut down and replaced with modern large scale incinerators, provided, in the main, through joint ventures between the NHS and the private sector, or the private sector alone.
	The NHS continues to handle some 8 per cent. of clinical waste disposal for England.

Morning-After Pill

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues to women regarding the potential side-effects of taking the morning-after pill.

Hazel Blears: Guidance about the possible side effects associated with taking the morning-after pill or emergency contraceptive, Levonelle, is routinely provided in the patient information leaflet included with this medicine. The possible side effects of Levonelle are also included in the information that is provided to health professionals, the summary of product characteristics, who are encouraged to discuss these side effects with the individual woman before treatment is provided.
	Pharmacists are supplied with a 'Protocol' that contains a checklist of advice that should be given to each woman when she is given Levonelle. This protocol includes the need to inform women of the most common side effects that may occur.
	Information about potential side effects of Levonelle has most recently been provided in the Chief Medical Officer's (CMO) newsletter, CMO Update, which is available through the Medicines Control Agency (MCA)/CMO websites.
	As with all licensed medicines, the safety of Levonelle is continuously monitored by the MCA, with independent expert advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines. In the event of any important new safety information emerging, the MCA will take action to ensure that this is accurately reflected in the product information and communicated to health professionals and women using the product.

Paediatric Nurses

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many paediatric nurses are employed by each hospital trust in England; and what the vacancy rates are in each case.

John Hutton: As a result of organisational changes in April 2002, data reflecting the latest organisation structure are not currently available. The 2003 national health service vacancy survey will be conducted in March and the results will be available later this year. It is intended to publish staff in post data from the September 2002 NHS work force census, which reflects the latest structure, in April this year.

Patient Care Advisers

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patient care advisers work at each heart surgery centre in England.

Hazel Blears: The majority of participating trusts have a single patient care adviser (PCA) in post. A number of the larger bodies, including Brighton Healthcare, University Hospitals Birmingham and University Hospitals Leicester, employ two PCAs, while St. Bartholomew's and the London National Health Service Trust employs three.
	The latest available figures, for January 2003, show a total of 38 PCAs in post.

Patients (Home Care)

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to encourage the NHS to adopt new medical technologies that are clinically proven to help patients be treated outside hospital.

Hazel Blears: The Department's Modernisation Agency is in place to support new practices and innovative approaches and will help to make a significant contribution in this area.
	Clinical effectiveness and patient safety are of course paramount concerns, and before any new medical technology is used it must, as a minimum, comply with United Kingdom and European regulations for medical devices and with clinical protocols agreed with the relevant professional bodies.

Primary Care Trusts

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the funding arrangements for primary care trusts in North Yorkshire.

Jacqui Smith: Three year allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs) were announced on 11 December. The allocations made to PCTs covered by North and East Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire Strategic Health Authority are shown in the table.
	
		
			 PCT 2003–04 allocation  (£) 2004–05 allocation  (£) 2005–06 allocation  (£) Total three year increase (percentage) 
		
		
			 Craven, Harrogate and Rural District 166,668 181,585 197,111 28.08 
			 Hambleton and Richmondshire 91,187 99,349 107,843 28.08 
			 Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale 138,792 152,118 166,123 30.31 
			 Set by and York 216,207 235,557 255,791 28.13

Public Health Laboratory Service

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to maintain the work on health and safety carried out by the Public Health Laboratory Service after 1 April.

Hazel Blears: The Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) Board will continue to be responsible for the health and safety of its remaining employees after 1 April.
	Any wider contribution to health and safety by current employees of the PHLS providing expert advice will continue to be provided as appropriate.

Sexual Health

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) what recent discussions he has had with the representatives of general practitioners regarding (a) screening for sexually transmitted diseases; (b) counselling for sexually transmitted diseases; and (c) the provision of contraceptive services;
	(2)  what guidance his Department has issued to primary care trusts regarding GPs' role in screening for sexually transmitted diseases;
	(3)  what guidance his Department has issued to primary care trusts regarding GPs' role in screening for chlamydia.

Hazel Blears: The sexual health and HIV strategy recommends that there are a number of service elements for sexual health care that current good practice acknowledges should be available in every general practice setting. These elements include sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing for women and assessment and referral of men with STI symptoms. However we do recognise that these service elements are not available everywhere at present and that development will be gradual. The development of non-invasive STI tests will extend the elements that can be provided in primary care.
	Officials have held a number of discussions with representatives of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to discuss implementation of the sexual health and HIV strategy in primary care. The Department is funding a conference being organised by the RCGP and the Royal College of Nurses to take forward a co-ordinated approach to the teaching and accreditation of sexual health skills for primary care. The RCGP will be publishing guidelines for general practitioners on primary care provision of recommended service elements for sexual health later this year.
	We have recently published a sexual health commissioning toolkit, which is available in the Library, which provides guidance for primary care trusts (PCTs) and a framework for developing sexual health services across a range of primary and specialist providers.
	In addition, the NHS Confederation is taking the lead, on behalf of United Kingdom health Ministers, in developing a new contract for GPs across the UK. The negotiations with the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) of the British Medical Association will have included some discussion of the provision of sexual health services.